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The former manager's tenure at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the poor reasons. Throughout the Premier League era, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, or secured a league finish as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of games. Additionally, he infamously carved a niche in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

The game, though, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a team in a significantly improved position than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in a while. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Even though it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding executives with poorer records—Amorim's exit was ultimately hampered by awful luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he could still be in the job—perhaps even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive state of affairs. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Simply careful stewardship of this talented group ought to be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Test

Burnley, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Although having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five outings, their performances have at times been stronger than the outcomes show. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to take the game to opponents who are likely to start an lineup that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.